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Outer Banks begin to return to business after Hurricane Arthur

By Emery P. DalesioThe Associated Press

Posted:
07/06/2014 12:01:00 AM MDT

Updated:
07/06/2014 01:20:47 AM MDT

The U.S. Coast Guard shows flooding caused by Hurricane Arthur on Saturday on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Arthur struck the state as a Category 2. (Petty Officer 3rd Class David Weydert, U.S. Coast Guard)

KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. — North Carolina's popular beach towns began returning to recreation Saturday, after Arthur lashed the coast with forceful winds and heavy rain before churning northward without leaving a trail of serious damage.

Arthur was downgraded to a tropical storm early Saturday, but the storm's near-hurricane strength winds slammed into Canada's maritime provinces, causing about 250,000 customers to lose power. The storm has caused flight cancellations and delays at the region's largest airport in Halifax, while flooding some local roads in New Brunswick.

New England was largely spared from damage spawned by the storm, but about 19,000 people in Maine and 1,600 in Vermont were without power.

There were reports of localized flooding in coastal areas of Massachusetts. No injuries or deaths have been reported.

The hurricane's effects in North Carolina were mostly confined to Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, and some vacationers were back on beaches to the north and south on Friday.

But the ocean churned by Arthur remained dangerous Saturday with the risk of rip currents able to wash the strongest swimmer to sea. That didn't stop thousands of people from enjoying the sun and sand.

"We're going to try to keep people out of the water and keep them safe," said David Elder, lifeguard supervisor for the town of Kill Devil Hills. "However, if conditions abate, I'd be glad to drop" the no-swimming warning.

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More than 600 of the 700 lifeguard rescues by Elder's department last year were because of rip currents, he said.

The only road onto Hatteras Island was reopened to all traffic Saturday afternoon, hours after permanent residents were allowed to return.

With many week-long cottage rentals running Saturday to Saturday, businesses were hoping to salvage the second half of the holiday weekend.

Farther south, Ocracoke Island's electricity distribution system was badly damaged by Arthur, leading officials to order residents to quit using air conditioners and water heaters.

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